Atv with vertical crankshaft engine

ABSTRACT

An ATV ( 10 ), all terrain vehicle, having staddle seating ( 12 ) and at least four oversized balloon tires ( 14, 16, 18, 20 ), and a frame ( 22 ) having front and rear suspensions ( 28, 30 ) respectively mounting the tires, has an engine ( 32 ) mounted on the frame ( 22 ) between left and right frame rails ( 24, 26 ), and having a vertical crankshaft ( 34 ).

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

[0001] The invention relates to ATVs, all terrain vehicles, and moreparticularly to improvements enabling manufacturing cost advantages.

[0002] ATVs are known in the art, and have grown in popularity, not onlyfor recreational but also for various functional purposes. An ATV has astraddle seat, and at least four oversized balloon tires, to overcomeprior objections to three wheel ATVs. The ATV has a frame with front andrear suspensions respectively mounting the large tires and allowingsufficient travel to accommodate rough terrain.

[0003] The present invention provides a packaging construction providinga manufacturing cost advantage by enabling the use of a mass-producedeconomical industrial engine in an ATV. In the present ATVconfiguration, a vertical crankshaft engine is used, which in turnenables usage of the noted mass-produced economical industrial verticalcrankshaft engine, such as produced by mass manufacturers such asKohler, Briggs and Stratton, Tecumseh, and the like. The inventionenables usage of two cycle or four cycle engines, air cooled or watercooled.

[0004] The vertical crankshaft engine in an ATV further enablespositioning of the cooling air inlet high on the vehicle, minimizingintrusion of water into the cooling system. Another advantage is thatthe power take-off shaft can be neatly packaged below the vehicle,maximizing operator safety. Power take-off devices can be attached in amaximally effective plane, namely horizontal. The vertical crankshaft incombination with various power take-off devices, such as pulleys,constant velocity, CV, transmissions, or gear drives can be utilizedwhile maximizing packaging efficiency. In a further aspect, the enginefits between the frame rails of the ATV, allowing a narrower package,and minimizing vibration propagation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is a side schematic elevation view of an ATV constructed inaccordance with the invention.

[0006]FIG. 2 is a top schematic elevation view of the ATV of FIG. 1.

[0007]FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 2 and shows an alternate embodiment.

[0008]FIG. 4 is a side schematic elevation view of the ATV of FIG. 3.

[0009]FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 3 and shows an alternate embodiment.

[0010]FIG. 6 is a side schematic elevation view of the ATV of FIG. 5.

[0011]FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 5 and shows an alternate embodiment.

[0012]FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 1 and shows an alternate embodiment.

[0013]FIG. 9 is a top schematic elevation view of the ATV of FIG. 8.

[0014]FIG. 10 is a view like FIG. 1 and shows an alternate embodiment.

[0015]FIG. 11 is a top schematic elevation view of the ATV of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016]FIG. 1 shows an ATV 10, all terrain vehicle, having straddleseating at seat 12, i.e. the operator sits on seat 12, with his/her legsstaddling same. The ATV includes at least four oversized balloon tires14, 16, 18, 20, FIGS. 1 and 2. The ATV includes a frame 22 with left andright side rails 24, 26, and front and rear suspensions 28, 30respectively mounting the tires. An engine 32 is mounted on the framebetween the left and right side rails and between the front and rearsuspension and has a vertical crankshaft 34. Engine 32 is preferablypurchased from a mass manufacturer such as Kohler, Briggs and Stratton,Tecumseh, or the like, and typically ranges from 3 to 22 horsepower.

[0017] ATV 10 includes a lower power take-off drive member 36 below theengine and rotating in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis 38.Engine 32 has an upper cooling air inlet 40 above the axes of rotationof the tires, and preferably at or above the tops of the tires. Powertake-off drive member 36 includes a primary pulley 42 at the lower endof vertical crankshaft 34. A constant velocity clutch 44 is provided forengaging and disengaging the pulley. Pulley 46 is driven by a pulley 42,and each pulley rotates in a coplanar horizontal plane. Pulley 46 isspaced below straddle seat 12 and vertically aligned therewith. Eachpulley 42 and 46 is preferably at a level at or below the axes ofrotation of the tires. Primary pulley 42 drives secondary pulley 46 bycoplanar drive belt 48. Pulley 46 drives rear wheel tires 18 and 20 byV-belt 50 driving pulley 52 on rear axle 54. Axle 54 is a live axle, andATV 10 is a two wheel drive vehicle. Front wheels 14 and 16 areconnected by live axle 55. The vehicle is braked by disc brake 56actuated by cable 58 from foot brake pedal 60 on foot rest 62. The brakemay also be actuated from left foot rest 64.

[0018]FIGS. 3 and 4 are similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 and show how thepresent invention enables a four wheel drive ATV, with a live rear axleand independently suspended front wheels. Secondary pulley 46 drives a90° transmission 66, which is known in the art, which in turn drivespulley 68 which drives pulley 70 via belt 72 and which drives pulley 74via belt 76. Pulley 70 drives rear transmission 78 via belt 80, to inturn drive rear wheel tires 18, 20. Pulley 74 drives front transmission82 via belt 84 to drive front wheel tires 14, 16. FIGS. 5 and 6illustrate how the invention enables a four wheel ATV with independentrear wheels and independent front wheels. FIG. 7 illustrates how theinvention further enables a six wheel ATV, with additional rear wheeltires 86, 88. If these latter wheels are also to be drive wheels, thenan additional drive belt is connected from pulley 52 or 78 to rearpulley 90 or a transmission. If a six wheel drive vehicle is desired,then an additional front drive pulley and belt are provided, as in FIGS.3-6. FIGS. 8 and 9 show an ATV similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, butwith engine 32 and its vertical crankshaft 34 directly over rear axle54, wherein power take-off drive member 36 and primary pulley 42 drivingdrive belt 91 to drive pulley 92 on vertical shaft 94 which drivespulley 46 which drives rear wheel tires 18 and 20 by V-belt 50 as above.FIGS. 10 and 11 show an ATV similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, but with engine 32and its vertical crankshaft 34 rearward of rear axle 54, with powertake-off drive member 36 and primary pulley 42 driving drive belt 96 todrive pulley 98 driving a 90° transmission 100 to drive rear axle 54. Invarious embodiments, two drive wheels may be connected and driventhrough a differential, for example, 102, FIG. 3, 104, 106, FIG. 6.

[0019] It is recognized that various equivalents, alternatives andmodifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ATV, all terrain vehicle, having straddleseating and at least four oversized balloon tires, comprising a framehaving front and rear suspensions respectively mounting said tires, andan engine mounted on said frame and having a vertical crankshaft.
 2. TheATV according to claim 1 wherein said engine and said verticalcrankshaft are between said front and rear suspensions.
 3. The ATVaccording to claim 1 comprising a lower power take-off drive memberbelow said engine and rotating in a horizontal plane about a verticalaxis.
 4. The ATV according to claim 3 wherein said engine has an uppercooling air inlet at a level at or above the axes of rotation of saidtires.
 5. The ATV according to claim 4 wherein said cooling air inlet ata level at or above the tops of said tires.
 6. The ATV according toclaim 3 wherein said power take-off drive member comprises a firstpulley at the lower end of said vertical crankshaft, and comprising asecond pulley driven by said first pulley, each said pulley rotating ina horizontal plane.
 7. The ATV according to claim 6 wherein said secondpulley is spaced below the straddle seat and vertically alignedtherewith.
 8. The ATV according to claim 6 wherein each said pulley isat a level at or below the tops of said tires.
 9. The ATV according toclaim 8 wherein each said pulley is at a level at or below the axes ofrotation of said tires.
 10. The ATV according to claim 5 wherein saidpulleys are coplanar.
 11. The ATV according to claim 3 wherein saidframe has left and right side rails, and wherein said engine fitsbetween said side rails, allowing a narrower package, and minimizingvibration propagation.
 12. The ATV according to claim 3 wherein thevehicle is two wheel drive.
 13. The ATV according to claim 12 whereinthe two drive wheels are connected by a live axle.
 14. The ATV accordingto claim 12 wherein the two drive wheels are connected and driventhrough a differential.
 15. The ATV according to claim 12 wherein thetwo drive wheels are independently suspended.
 16. The ATV according toclaim 3 wherein the vehicle is four wheel drive.
 17. The ATV accordingto claim 16 wherein one pair of rear drive wheels are connected by alive axle, and another pair of front drive wheels are connected by alive axle.
 18. The ATV according to claim 16 wherein one pair of drivewheels are connected by a live axle, and another pair of drive wheelsare independently suspended.
 19. The ATV according to claim 16 wherein apair of rear drive wheels are independently suspended, and a pair offront drive wheels are independently suspended.
 20. The ATV according toclaim 3 comprising six said oversized balloon tires.
 21. The ATVaccording to claim 20 comprising four said tires in the rear, and twosaid tires in the front.
 22. The ATV according to claim 21 wherein thevehicle is two wheel rear drive.
 23. The ATV according to claim 21wherein the vehicle is four wheel drive, at least two of which are rear.24. The ATV according to claim 21 wherein the vehicle is six wheeldrive.
 25. The ATV according to claim 1 wherein a pair of said tireshave a rotational axis along a rear axle, and wherein said engine andsaid vertical crankshaft are directly over said rear axle.
 26. The ATVaccording to claim 1 wherein a pair of said tires have a rotational axisalong a rear axle, and wherein said engine and said vertical crankshaftare rearward of said rear axle.